Jenny Field has developed a deep familiarity with every inch of her home for 40 years.
Key points:
- Jenny Field, who lived in the house with her husband before she died, says she would “hate” to be relocated.
- But Housing ACT has considered its ownership of public housing to be an aging asset on valuable land.
- He faces the possibility of moving, if negotiations with Housing ACT are not successful
The Canberra widow has managed to stay independent despite being blind and aged at 90.
She said she can feel her way home and in the garden because her much-loved environment has become almost an extension of herself.
“Home means everything. I’m very familiar with the house and my front garden,” Jenny said.
But the Canberra widow said her O’Connor shelter was being threatened after receiving a notice of relocation from the ACT government.
“Being completely blind and hearing impaired, with problems with a sense of direction and balance, anyone who would expect someone in these circumstances to move into a new property is absolutely insane,” Jenny said.
“It would depress me, I know I would.”
Jenny, who has lived in the house with her husband before she died, said she would “hate” to be relocated.
“And not only would I hate it, but I’d probably pay a mental price … and I’d get mad like hell,” he said.
Two-day window to prepare “distressing”
Jenny received a letter this week giving her 48 hours to prepare her argument to stand still. (ABC News: Nick Haggarty)
Housing ACT has considered Jenny Field’s public housing property to be an aging asset on valuable land.
He has become one of hundreds of tenants facing relocation under the public housing growth and renovation plan.
The government said the project would strengthen the much-needed social housing stock and provide tenants with more modern and energy-efficient housing.
Most affected residents have agreed to be relocated.
But earlier this week, Jenny was one of several people who received a letter from Housing ACT with an invitation to appear in court for discretion.
He said he was anxious because the notice gave him 48 hours to prepare for the panel, a deadline that defenders have described as “creepy.”
“These are the elderly, the vulnerable, the disabled, as opposed to Housing ACT, an institution with more than 300 employees, hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue and access to legal resources,” said the ACTCOSS CEO. Dr. Emma Campbell.
“Forty-eight hours is simply unacceptable for people to prepare for such a circumstance.
“They should also organize support to reach this hearing and represent lawyers or other advocates.
“Time and time again, we are seeing a total disregard on the part of the ACT government for these tenants.”
Meetings with tenants will be permanent: Berry
ACT Housing Minister Yvette Berry said tenants should not attend this week’s meetings if they could not. (ABC News: Greg Nelson)
Dr. Campbell has called on the ACT government to change its direction and make the relocation plan voluntary.
In a statement to the ABC, Housing Minister Yvette Berry said she believed ACTCOSS ‘position was “disappointing” and added that it could “cause unnecessary stress to Housing ACT tenants”.
Ms Berry said those affected had been notified 48 hours in advance to make sure they were heard as soon as possible.
“However, these meetings will be ongoing and no one has to attend a meeting this week if they don’t want to,” Ms. Berry said.
“These meetings are just an opportunity … to discuss your needs and reasons for requesting a relocation exemption to support your request if you wish.”
The ABC has obtained a copy of the letter sent to the tenants and an attached fact sheet.
Most public housing tenants have agreed to go ahead, but Jenny doesn’t want to. (ABC News: Nick Haggarty)
In the documents, ACT Housing said it would take a person’s age, disability and health into account when making a relocation decision.
He added that a decision would be made from the back of the panel in 14 companies.
But one line in particular made Jenny cry when the correspondence was read aloud.
“The decision made by the court is not appealable,” he said.
It is this knowledge that has kept Jenny on edge as she prepares for her audience.